Prometheus

Homepage of Prometheus website

Introduction

Prometheus, the division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering of the KU Leuven (http://www.kuleuven.be/prometheus), is an interdisciplinary initiative focusing on skeletal TE research and technology transfer, founded by the Divisions of Rheumatology, Orthopedics, Biomechanics, Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Prosthetic Dentistry, and the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. More recently, the divisions of Biomechanics (University of Liège) and Bioresponses (Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven) joined the platform. The Prometheus team consists of 50+ PhD students, postdocs, PIs, lab technologists and clinical partners.

The Prometheus platform runs 3 integrated programs:

(i) fundamental science related to stem cells and 3D tissue creation
(ii) translation of scientific findings into a technological plan for manufacturing processes, quality and safety
(iii) creation of blue prints for the clinical implementation of a bone TE therapy.

These three programs are divided into several research tracks that are coordinated by experts in the field and are supported by a broad technology platform and state-of-the-art infrastructure as described below.

At present the Prometheus interdisciplinary research team consists of about 60 people, ranging from technicians, over PhDs, post-docs to orthopaedic surgeons and a management. The founding Prometheus scientists have discovered pathways that have been identified as critical in the formation of skeletal tissues, made contributions to the characterisation of stem/progenitor cells and to the clinical development and technology transfer of cell based therapies for skeletal repair, have extensive experience in clinical evaluation of new therapies and are experienced in project management of national and international projects related to bone tissue engineering and biomaterials. Part of these scientific achievements has been transferred into the spin-off TiGenix NV. The scientific success of this research group is indicated by the fact that the Prometheus scientists generated 70 unique peer-reviewed publications relevant to skeletal TE in the last three years in high quality journals. This is reflected by an h-index on Thompson ISI of 50. Prometheus had 29 grants on skeletal regeneration ongoing in the last three years for a total of €5,43 million.